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Thousands celebrate saint's day Thousands celebrate saint's day
(9 minutes later)
Thousands of people have been attending St Patrick's Day celebrations across Northern Ireland.Thousands of people have been attending St Patrick's Day celebrations across Northern Ireland.
In Belfast, a carnival procession started proceedings, with X-factor star Eoghan Quigg headlining a concert at Custom House Square later.In Belfast, a carnival procession started proceedings, with X-factor star Eoghan Quigg headlining a concert at Custom House Square later.
There are also festivities in Londonderry.There are also festivities in Londonderry.
The largest parade on the island was in Dublin, with up to 500,000 people expected to watch 2,000 performers.The largest parade on the island was in Dublin, with up to 500,000 people expected to watch 2,000 performers.
The city's Lord Mayor, Tom Hartley, said that St Patrick's Day has become one of the highlights of Belfast City Council's events calendar.
"The council has worked extremely hard to make the event fully inclusive, so that it appeals to all sections of the community, and this work definitely has paid off, to make St Patrick's Day an occasion which can be enjoyed by all the people of Belfast, and visitors alike," he said.
ST PATRICK PARADES City partying marks saintly daySaint's carnival underway in cityST PATRICK PARADES City partying marks saintly daySaint's carnival underway in city
The city's Lord Mayor, Tom Hartley, said that St Patrick's Day has become one of the highlights of Belfast City Council's events calendar.
"The council has worked extremely hard to make the event fully inclusive, so that it appeals to all sections of the community, and this work definitely has paid off, to make St Patrick's Day an occasion which can be enjoyed by all the people of Belfast, and visitors alike," he said.The Princess Royal presented the Irish Guards with shamrock
There have been celebrations all over the world, with Irish regiments in the British Army marking the saint's day.
The 1st Battalion Irish Guards held a St Patrick"s Day parade held at Victoria Barracks in Windsor, Berkshire, where they were presented with shamrock by the Princess Royal.
Patrick was captured by Irish raiders from his home in Wales and reputedly herded sheep on the slopes of Slemish in County Antrim during his captivity.Patrick was captured by Irish raiders from his home in Wales and reputedly herded sheep on the slopes of Slemish in County Antrim during his captivity.
He managed to make his way home after six years, but later returned to Ireland with a mission to convert the Irish to Christianity.He managed to make his way home after six years, but later returned to Ireland with a mission to convert the Irish to Christianity.
Legend has it that he used the shamrock to teach the concept of the Trinity and banished snakes from the island.Legend has it that he used the shamrock to teach the concept of the Trinity and banished snakes from the island.
It is unlikely there ever were any snakes in Ireland, but the snake story may be a reference to serpent, a symbol of evil, and the driving out a reference to Patrick's mission to rid Ireland of pagan influence.It is unlikely there ever were any snakes in Ireland, but the snake story may be a reference to serpent, a symbol of evil, and the driving out a reference to Patrick's mission to rid Ireland of pagan influence.
St Patrick's Day is held on 17 March, which is believed to be the day he died.St Patrick's Day is held on 17 March, which is believed to be the day he died.